In memorium

Most of my posts will be about Japan, but I have to take time now for a personal note. I found out last night that Leroi Moore, the saxophone player for the Dave Matthews Band passed away last Tuesday from complications involving an ATV accident he had in June. I am realizing that being here keeps me a little disconnected from the world back home even with the internet. The fact that a member of my all-time favorite band died and I didn't find out for a week is a little strange. I was shocked to find out while just randomly surfing the web. He was an incredible musician and one of the founding members of the band. Dave Matthews actually gave Leroi his demo tape back when he was a young musician trying to make a name for himself. So in a way, he was responsible for the forming of the band which is pretty amazing because he was always kind of the one in my mind that stood in the background and let the other guys get the glory. There have been many nights that I have sat back listening to DMB alone or with friends and just being amazed by the smoothness of Leroi's sax. I don't know anything about the instrument, but I know he's one of the best I've ever heard and I personally will miss listening to him play.

I'm including a YouTube video of one of my favorite live songs by the band. This song kind of features Leroi Moore and he has a great flute solo followed shortly by a sax solo that all builds up with the violin and drums to a pretty cool climax. That to me is what this band is all about, and I think he had a lot to do with that. The song is called #41 and this is from the Listener Supported live album. It's about 10 minutes long. You can watch the whole thing if you want, but if nothing else skip ahead to 3:45 and listen to the classic DMB jam session that follows. If you've never heard Leroi play you're sure to be impressed.

He will be missed.